Flipping Cars Without a Care — the Apex of White Privilege
Black Lives Matter protesters couldn’t get away with this
Nearly 1,000 White college students gathered to party in Columbus, Ohio. They came to celebrate the “Chitt Fest,” a series of spring block parties. But this year, their brand of fun included damaging property and flipping seven cars. When the police responded, the revelers seem unfazed and unbothered. Flipping cars without a care is the apex of White privilege.
The officers responded to the event from a distance. Using a megaphone, they said, “They’ll come down when it’s safe for them.” When it comes to confronting Black protesters, police seem to have the will of fire. Yet, when it comes to confronting White people, their demeanor changes. Even when students damaged property, the police didn’t give them a hard time. Those White students partied until they couldn’t party anymore. Police officers did not threaten them, though they did ask them to disperse. None of these students made it into cuffs or the back of a police car.
Before Black protesters take to the streets to protest racial inequality, officials prepare. They issue warnings and set curfews. “Everyone must remain calm and peaceful. We will have order.” These preemptive measures feed into a dangerous stereotype about Black people. Namely…
